Being Awarded my Hornaday Badge!

Me receiving my Hornaday Badge Award, Snellville, Georgia, September 8, 2018.

On September 8, 2018, an honor court was held at Church of the Redeemer in Snellville, where I was awarded my Hornaday Badge for the volunteer work and project I completed at Dunwoody Nature Center from 2016-2017. It was great to finally receive the award after all of the hard work I did. I’m happy to have been able to celebrate with so many people who supported me in my endeavor.

Me, receiving my Hornaday Badge Award, and my family, Snellville, Georgia, September 8, 2018.

More than one year has passed since I finished my project. I submitted my completed project portfolio binder to my Council Hornaday Advisor, Mrs. Donna Kaplan, in October 2017. The Northeast Georgia Council Hornaday Committee reviewed and approved my portfolio and forwarded it to the National Boy Scout Council.

Me with my Hornaday project sponsor, Mrs. Holly Loveland, and my scoutmaster, Mr. Earl Collins, Snellville, Georgia, September 8, 2018.

In April 2017, Mrs. Kaplan let me know that the National Council had approved my project for a Hornaday Award. After that, the Northeast Georgia Council prepared my badge and certificate in July 2018.  My family and my troop, Troop 548, hosted a William T. Hornaday Honor Court for me last weekend.

Me with members of my troop, Snellville, Georgia, September 8, 2018.

Doing the Hornaday project at Dunwoody Nature Center has taught me more appreciation and respect for the environment. Science is already important to me, and my project ingrained my interest even more. I’m still interested in studying biology when I go to college, and I hope to work in a science-related field as an adult. Completing my Hornaday project showed me that I can do it, and that I can pursue what I enjoy as a career.

More Cool Before and After Pictures of my Hornaday Conservation Project at Dunwoody Nature Center

Me in Snellville, Georgia, June 25, 2017

I was looking through my conservation project pictures today, and putting them into photo albums.  It was nice to go back through my work and see all that I’ve done!  I found some more really cool before and after pictures, and I’d like to post them here.  Please see them to follow:

Me getting lumber at Lowe’s for the birdhouses, January 2017

Completed birdhouses I built, February 2017

Me with one of the birdhouses I built, February 2017

Before picture of one of my work areas, November 2016

After picture of one of my work areas, August 2017

Before picture of one of my work areas, November 2016

After picture of one of my work areas, August 2017

A during work picture of one of my work areas, January 2017

One of my work areas after planting ferns there, April 2017

One of my work areas after 4 months of fern growth, August 2017

Before picture of one of my work areas, April 2017

A during work picture of the previous area, April 2017

After picture of the previous work area, April 2017

Another after picture of the previous work area, before mom sprayed wisteria, June 2017

Another after picture of the prior work area, before cutting out more dead wisteria, August 2017

Before picture of one work area, October 2016

After picture of the previous work area, before removing wisteria and privet at middle back of picture, August 2017

Before picture of trail, October 2016

After mulching the previous trail, March 2017

The trail, all mulched, March 2017

Before picture of trail, October 2016

Mulching the trail in the previous picture, March 2017

Removing the log from the trail, April 2017

After picture of trail once I removed the log, April 2017

Before picture of one of my work areas, April 2017

After picture of one of my work areas, April 2017

Another after picture of the previous work area, August 2017

As you can see, there are lots of cool before, during, and after pictures of my work at Dunwoody Nature Center.  These are just some of many photos that show my work.

Family Support with my Hornaday Conservation Project

Me with my family supporters who’ve helped me with my Hornaday project – Mom, Dad, and Grandpa. Snellville, Georgia, August 16, 2017

The people who’ve given me the most help, time, and support with my Hornaday conservation project at Dunwoody Nature Center have been my family. I got them together this week for a group photo.  My grandfather guided and supervised my construction of five bird houses. My father worked with me on my two troop workdays, and took me to Dunwoody Nature Center twice to complete additional work.  And, my mom has been my biggest supporter, taking me to Dunwoody Nature Center all but two times I’ve gone there for my project work.  Thank you to my family and all of my supporters!

My Conservation-Related Activities at the 2017 National Jamboree

Me showing my completed mining in society badge card at the 2017 National Jamboree, West Virginia, July 24, 2017

From July 19-28, 2017, I attended and participated in the 2017 National Jamboree for Boy Scouts and Venturers at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia.  It was a great experience, but with alot of walking, and I did many activities.

Me at the Summit Bechtel Reserve 2017 National Jamboree, West Virginia, July 24, 2017

There were alot of activities already planned for my Troop 3127 with the Northeast Georgia Council before we got there, so that didn’t leave very much time to do things I wanted to do.  But, I still did things that I liked.

Me at the Hornaday Exhibit Tent at the 2017 National Jamboree, West Virginia, July 25, 2017

Conservation-related activities I completed at the 2017 National Jamboree were going to the Hornaday Exhibit Tent and talking with scout staff.  I went there twice, and talked to two people.  Both times I went there, I talked with men who were very encouraging.  The second time, I talked to the Central Region Angling Chairman, who asked me many questions about my Hornaday project.  He also talked to me about preparing my final report and following up on the progress I’ve made with my project.

Me with Staffmember Mr. Michael Brand at the Hornaday Exhibit Tent, 2017 National Jamboree, July 25, 2017

I also went to the Sustainability Tree House three times.  The first two times, I didn’t have much chance to look through it because I had to get back to my camp and it was at the end of the day.  The third time I went there, I looked through all of it except the top floor because of the risk of lightning that day.  It was really cool!

Me at the Sustainability Tree House, 2017 National Jamboree, July 25, 2017

At the National Eagle Scout Association Tent, I saw Regis, the bald eagle.  Regis is the Association’s mascot.  He is a beautiful eagle, and a wonderful representative of the Association.  It’s disappointing that he is an eagle in captivity, but it looks like he is being well taken care of.

Me with Regis, the bald eagle, at the NESA Tent. 2017 National Jamboree; July 25, 2017

At Jamboree, I gave out some of my custom-made Hornaday patches to scout leaders. Unfortunately, my fellow scouts at Jamboree weren’t very interested in them, and didn’t want to trade any of their patches for them.  But, working on my project is still very important to me, and I know I’ve made a positive impact on the environment.

 

 

Thanking my Major Project Supporters

Me with Mrs. Donna Kaplan, my Council Hornaday Chairwoman, Snellville, Georgia, June 27, 2017

In the past month, I’ve thanked the major supporters of my Hornaday project for all of their time, effort, and dedication to working with me.  It wasn’t just me doing the work – there have been many people who helped me along the way.  If it wasn’t for them, I might not have been able to do my project.

Mrs. Donna Kaplan, Council Hornaday Chairwoman, with appreciation plaque from me, Snellville, Georgia, June 27, 2017

I’ve shown my appreciation to my supporters (besides my parents) in many ways.  I gave them Boy Scout certificates of appreciation, thank you photo collage cards that included pictures of my work, and custom-made patches to commemorate my project.  I also gave large plaques of appreciation to my supporters.  For two of my major supporters, mom and I either took them out to dinner or gave them restaurant gift cards.

Me with my Hornaday sponsor and adviser, Mrs. Holly Loveland, after giving her appreciation plaque, Dunwoody, Georgia, May 26, 2017

Because I’ve not yet entirely completed my project, I haven’t formally thanked all of my supporters.  I still have a couple of items of appreciation to give to my Hornaday coach and scoutmaster.  In a couple months when I finish my project, I’ll give them ‘thank yous,’ too.

Me with Snellville Lowe’s Manager Wayne after giving him an appreciation plaque, Snellville, Georgia, May 26, 2017

The biggest thing I want my supporters to know is that I couldn’t have done my project without them.  I’ve needed them to help me with paperwork, advice, time, and supervision.  And, I also appreciate that most of them understand what a huge undertaking this has been for me.  Every one of my supporters played a part – whether large or small – in my project’s success.

Me giving an appreciation plaque to my grandfather, Bruce Babcock, Snellville, Georgia, May 26, 2017

I’m considering doing more Hornaday projects in the future, and hope to have more great experiences with them.  I hope my supporters will continue to give their time, effort, advice, and supervision.  In the future, I hope to get more support from my troop, 548 in Snellville, and for scouts and leaders in my troop to better understand and appreciate conservation, the environment, and Hornaday projects.  I’d also like to be taken more seriously by youth and adults, and for them to understand that a teen like me can complete an extensive project to better the environment.

More Before and After Pictures of my Work

Trees at Dunwoody Nature Center with English ivy growing up them (before picture), December 2016

It’s nice to go back, now, and look at all the work I’ve completed at Dunwoody Nature Center for my Hornaday Project.  My individual hours of work currently total over 230 hours, with the total hours for everyone involved currently being over 600 hours.

Trees at Dunwoody Nature Center after I’ve removed English ivy from them (after picture), June 2017

I’ve made a really big difference in the environment at Dunwoody Nature Center, helping native plants, shrubs, and trees not be overtaken by Chinese wisteria and privet. I’ve also removed lots of English ivy, which wasn’t even part of my original plan.

Area at Dunwoody Nature Center before planting ferns (before picture), April 2017

I’ve also supported the environment and ecosystem there in other ways, by mulching trails and planting ferns to prevent erosion, and helping birds by building bird houses, and regularly filling bird feeders and bird baths.

Area at Dunwoody Nature Center where I planted 30 Autumn ferns (after picture), June 2017

Even though the focus of my Hornaday Project was removing and managing invasive plant species at Dunwoody Nature Center, my favorite part of the project was supporting the birds.  I like animals, and I’m glad I could help birds as part of my project.

Wrapping Up

Going to fill the bird feeders at Dunwoody Nature Center, May 26, 2017

I officially wrapped up my Hornaday Conservation Project at the Dunwoody Nature Center (DNC) last week.  I’m now going into the “report phase” and follow-up period for the next three months.  During this time, I’ll be going to DNC at least two times per month to make sure that volunteers or staff have taken over my duties.

The biggest things to do in my report phase will be making sure that the wisteria and privet that I removed doesn’t grow back, and continuing to eliminate it if it does.  People will also have to take over my regular fillings of the bird feeders and bird baths, and I’ll have to follow-up to make sure that’s being done.

The ferns that I planted on my troop workday are growing really well, and many of the ferns already have new growth.  At least one of the five bird houses that I built was being used by wrens for nesting this spring.  I’m waiting a little bit longer to check on the other bird houses to see if they’ve been used yet because I don’t want to disturb any birds if the houses are occupied.  And, the trails that I mulched on my first troop workday are holding up well, too.

Last Friday, I removed at least 200 or more wisteria plants of all sizes and heights (from 2 inches to plants climbing in trees up to 20 feet high) and some privet plants (up to about 3 feet tall).  These plants overstuffed two yard waste bags.  Mom sprayed many of these plants with RoundUp the week before, but the RoundUp killed only the plants that were about one foot tall or shorter.  The RoundUp didn’t affect plants taller than one foot.  It has been a monumental challenge to remove the wisteria.  What I’ve observed by removing the wisteria and privet is that the English ivy has more space to grow, so I’ve removed some of that, too.

It has been a great experience to do my Hornaday Conservation Project at Dunwoody Nature Center.  I’m happy to work with nice people there, and have the opportunity to do activities that help animals and the environment.  Please continue reading my blog for more information about the report phase of my project and showing appreciation to people who’ve helped me.

Commitment to Scouting

I’ve earned 15 badges during the time I’ve been working on my Hornaday project, April 13, 2017

While working on my Hornaday project since getting my application approved in May 2016, I’ve continued to work hard in scouting in other endeavors.  I love Boy Scouts and I’m very committed to being a Boy Scout.  I’m working toward being an Eagle Scout.

During the time that I’ve worked on my Hornaday project so far, I’ve completed 15 merit badges, including 2 Eagle-rank badges.  I’m also currently working on 2 Eagle-rank badges, and expect to earn more merit badges at summer day camp and National Jamboree.

I’ve also participated in many scout troop events, camping trips, and troop meetings, including monthly Jamboree troop meetings.  I’ve only missed two troop meetings in the past 9 months for being sick or out of town, and one Jamboree troop meeting due to being out of town.

My scouting schedule has been so busy during the past year that I’m sometimes drained, especially with school and other activities.  I work hard in school, am an honor student in the advanced program, and do other community service projects in addition to my Hornaday project.

I’m very committed to scouting.  Besides playing video games, scouting is my favorite thing to do.  I’m happy to be in scouting, learn many important life skills, and give back to the community.